Child Discipline

Jehovah’s Witnesses as a group are known worldwide for being loving and caring parents. They strive to make their children feel loved and secure. This is illustrated by the more than 150 written statements of first- and second-generation Jehovah’s Witnesses, from all ages and backgrounds. The following are just a few examples:

“After studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses, I realized that I needed to have a more loving attitude toward my own children. Previously, my husband and I used to think that a little smack on our child’s head was nothing … However, as I studied the Bible, I realized that God hates violence and that no matter how small it is, it is still violence and not a good thing. After that, my husband and I stopped smacking our children. I also learned about the need to control my anger and the importance of parents setting an example for their children … [and] listening to them carefully.” — age 40

“From the time I was a little girl, no matter how busy my parents were, they would always carve out time each day for us to spend as a family … My parents always made sure that I felt loved and cared for … They showed a lot of affection through words, hugs, etc. They also thanked me when I helped with chores. They never scolded me based on their emotions and they apologized when they made mistakes. Because they treated me this way, I always felt relaxed at home, which I feel helped me to maintain my self-esteem.” — age 24

“I was raised by Jehovah’s Witness parents. They have always listened to me and encouraged me to do what I wanted … I have always felt safe and secure with my family … I grew up with a lot of love from my parents.” — age 19

“… The Bible says “Children are an inheritance from Jehovah” (Psalm 127:3). I was struck by this … I adjusted my work schedule and found a job that allowed me maximum time with my children … If a father loves and respects his wife, his daughter will see this and know what kind of man to choose for her marriage partner … Before studying the Bible, I used to argue a lot with my wife, but now I have learned how to resolve our disagreements amicably. I made efforts to show my wife in a visible way that I love her … We were able to set a good example for our daughter as a couple.” — in his 60s

“My parents have treated me with love since I was very young. I have many memories of fun times spent together as a family, such as trips and recreational activities. They carefully listened to me when I had problems and helped me with anything … My parents never forced me to follow the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They never pressured me to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They warmly encouraged me to think things over and make good decisions on my own.” — age 22

“I became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1988 (at age 33). Until then, I had not fulfilled my responsibilities in taking care of my family … [After studying the Bible] many things have improved … For example, in the Bible it says “fathers, do not be irritating your children” … I tried to listen carefully to my children’s inner thoughts and feelings. Adolescents, in particular, often speak their minds at night when they are calm. Although I was tired from work and had to work the next day, I took the time to listen, understand, and offer encouragement and comfort until late at night. We feel that children should grow up with love and security … feeling the love of their parents.” — age 68

“I have nothing but gratitude for having been raised by my parents. From the time I was a little girl, I was never forced to do anything, and I grew up being told by my parents: ‘Your faith and mine are different.’ I am so grateful and happy that I was able to decide for myself what my beliefs and convictions are and that my parents gave me so much support to do so. No matter how busy they are, they always listen to me kindly … The time I spend with my family is the most peaceful and happy time, and I love it.” — age 18

“What I have learned from Jehovah’s Witnesses has been especially helpful in raising my children … I was taught that it is important to never abuse a child and to be loving and patient with them, so that is what I did.” — age 50

“I am so thankful that I was raised by my Jehovah’s Witness parents … They did not force me to do this or deny what I had decided to do, but created an environment where I could try various things and helped me to accomplish what I had decided to do. My parents always cherished spending time as a family. The whole family always sat around the dinner table and talked about what had happened that day, and after dinner we played games and had fun together. On weekends, we went out to play and had many events to enjoy the seasons, such as going to see cherry blossoms and autumn leaves … Every time we laughed a lot and had a good time, I felt the love from my family.” — age 21

“My parents raised me with a lot of love and care. I am especially grateful for the lots of time they spent with me. My father and mother always made it a priority for us to spend time together … they always listened to me and valued communication. Even when I asked for advice late at night, they stayed awake and listened to me. They were always there for me and helped me find an answer that made sense to me. They always respected my ideas and helped me to make my decisions succeed.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses are also peaceful and law-abiding citizens. As such, they comply with secular laws and endeavor to be model citizens. This includes laws relating to physical discipline and the legal obligation to report cases of child physical abuse to the authorities.

In Japan, it was not until 2020 that legislation was introduced to prohibit parents from using corporal punishment. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, Article 14(1), was amended to stipulate that a parent or guardian “must not discipline the child by imposing corporal punishment.” Japan is now one of 65 countries that prohibits corporal punishment. Most other countries still permit parents to use some forms of corporal punishment.

Notwithstanding the wide divergence in laws among countries worldwide on corporal punishment, Jehovah’s Witnesses have consistently deplored anger and the use of violence when disciplining children, as the following examples from their publications confirm:

• 1954: “[O]n the matter of discipline, administer it in love, not in angry shouts or blows … parental authority … should always be wielded in love and mercy, never in anger or rigid justice.”1
• 1979: “The Bible in no way endorses angry whippings or severe beatings that bruise and can even cripple a young child. That is child abuse, not loving discipline.”2
• 2014: “In the Bible, the word for ‘discipline’ … primarily relates to instruction, education, and correction. It is never connected with abuse or cruelty … parental discipline needs to be given with loving care.”3
• 2022: “There is never a reason for a Christian parent to treat his children harshly.”4

Indeed, as the results of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Japan—A Quantitative Study confirm, Jehovah’s Witnesses overwhelmingly believe that it is “never” appropriate to use physical discipline. It has long been the practice of Jehovah’s Witnesses to comply with child abuse reporting laws, including laws that require the reporting of allegations of physical abuse. This is confirmed by the following examples.

• 2013, Saitama Prefecture:Elders are informed by a parent that that parent’s spouse had physically abused their child. The elders promptly reported the allegations to the Child Guidance Center.
• 2016, Hyogo Prefecture: Elders are informed by a grandparent that that person’s grandchild had been physically abused by the child’s parent. The elders promptly reported the allegations to the Child Guidance Center.
• 2018, Miyazaki Prefecture: Elders are informed that a parent attending religious services had physically abused that parent’s child. The elders promptly reported the allegations to the Child Consultation Center.
• 2022, Kanagawa Prefecture: Elders are informed by a congregant that another individual attending religious services had physically abused a child. The elders promptly reported the allegations to the Child Consultation Center.

In summary, it is false for anti-cult groups and others to allege that Jehovah’s Witnesses or their publications condone or encourage parents to beat their children. Jehovah’s Witnesses consider child abuse, including physical abuse, to be abhorrent. For decades, elders have promptly reported allegations of physical abuse to the authorities as required by law.